Broadway revivals and 'Liberation' win big at the Tony Awards

By — Mark Kennedy, Associated Press Mark Kennedy, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/broadway-revivals-and-liberation-win-big-at-the-tony-awards Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Broadway revivals and 'Liberation' win big at the Tony Awards Arts Jun 8, 2026 11:25 AM EDT NEW YORK (AP) — "Schmigadoon!," an adaptation of an Apple TV series that gently mocks big, brassy Broadway shows, won the best new musical Tony Award on a night when actor John Lithgow and playwright Bess Wohl made history. The musical parodies golden-age Broadway classics like "The Music Man" and "Oklahoma!" centered on a modern-day couple finding themselves in a "Brigadoon"-like fantasyland where the wholesome townspeople keep breaking into song. The win is a redemption for creator Cinco Paul, whose TV series was canceled after two seasons. He won Tonys for the score and the book Sunday. "Sometimes singing, dancing, jokes and a happy ending are all you need," said producer Lorne Michaels, the creator of "Saturday Night Live," after the win. The win for "Schmigadoon!" also completes what some unofficially call a "studio EGOT," giving the producing company credits for winning awards at all four major ceremonies. Apple already has Emmys for comedies "Ted Lasso" and "The Studio," the Oscar for best picture for "CODA" and a Grammy via Chris Stapleton's contribution to the "F1" soundtrack. Who took home the Tony Awards Bess Wohl and team accept the Best Play award for "Liberation" during the 79th Annual Tony Awards in New York City on Sunday. Photo by Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters The prize for the best new play went to Wohl's "Liberation," about a consciousness-raising women's group in 1970s Ohio, which earlier this year also won the Pulitzer Prize for drama. Wohl's play collects stories from second-wave feminists from all walks of life as they tackle misogyny, racism and traditional gender roles. Wohl is only the fourth woman to win a best play Tony, joining Wendy Wasserstein, Yasmina Reza and Frances Goodrich. "I want to honor women everywhere who have the courage to use their voice," said Wohl, who thanked her mom, daughters and female producers. "And to all the girls out there: May you speak your truth, and may the world be wise enough to listen." "Liberation" joins a list of 18 plays that have won the Pulitzer Prize for drama and the Tony Award in the same year. The Tony for best play revival went to "Death of a Salesman," Arthur Miller's masterpiece that looks at the unraveling of the American Dream. It won the 1949 Tony for best new play and best revival crowns in 1984, 1999 and 2012. It earned a leading six Tonys: "Roseanne" star Laurie Metcalf won her third Tony for playing Willy Loman's wife opposite Nathan Lane in the revival, which also won for lighting, scenic design and sound design. Joe Mantello won best director for a play. 'Ragtime,' 'Giant,' and other stand-out plays "Rag